FANGIO, JUAN MANUEL

born June 24, 1911, Balcarce, Arg. died July 17, 1995, Buenos Aires driver who dominated automobile-racing competition in the 1950s, winning the world driving championship in 1951, 1954, 1955, 1956, and 1957. He had won 24 world-championship Grand Prix races when he retired from racing in 1958. Fangio won the world titles driving for Alfa Romeo, Mercedes-Benz, Ferrari, and Maserati. He also won the 12-hour Sebring, Fla., sports car race in 1956 and 1957. After his retirement from racing, he worked for Mercedes-Benz in Argentina.